Geranium plant named ‘Maestro Pink’

ABSTRACT

‘Maestro Pink’ is a new variety of geranium having a compact habit, early and free flowering, very good outdoor performance, and brightly colored watermelon pink flowers.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Maestro Pink’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×hortorum known by the varietal name ‘Maestro Pink’, BreederNo. 6DG4071-8. The new variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif. The newvariety is a result of cross breeding ‘American Pink’ (female parent)(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,029) and Seedling 2483 (male parent)(unpatented). The new variety exhibits similar flower color to bothparents, but blooms earlier and has a more compact habit than bothparents. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings inConnellsville, Pa. The new variety has been trial and field tested andhas been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain trueto type through successive asexual propagations.

The new variety was grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.using full light, 60° F. night temperature and 68° F. day temperatureand grown in a soilless media with constant fertilizer at 200-250 ppmnitrogen and potassium. The new variety exhibits rooting at 14 daysunder optimal conditions and has a response time of seven weeks from arooted cutting to flowering.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in Connellsville, Pa.Plants described were 9 weeks old. The color readings were taken indoorsunder 65-85 foot candles of cool white fluorescent light. Colorreferences are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Form: Medium mound.-   Growth: Upright mound, with free basal branching.-   Height from media surface: 15-17 cm in a 4 inch pot from the top of    the soil to the top of the plant.-   Strength: Does not require artificial support.-   Rooting time: 10-14 days to visible roots on the outside of a plug    under optimal conditions.-   Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment of a medium green color with    zonation present.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Size.—5.0-7.0 cm long at longest point; 7.3-10.8 cm across            at widest point.        -   Zone.—Present 1.8-2.3 cm from point of attachment; the zone            is 1.7-2.0 cm wide.        -   Shape.—Reniform, with a cordate base.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Texture.—Velvety in general. Older leaves are more leathery.        -   Pubescence.—Present.        -   Color.—Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 138B. Zone: 139A            on younger leaves. The zone is less pronounced on older            leaves and is 137A.        -   Ribs and veins.—Type: Palmate. Color: 146D.        -   Stipules.—Two per node.-   Petioles:    -   -   Color.—144A.        -   Length.—4.5-7.0 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—144A.        -   Internode length.—1.7-2.4 cm.

THE BUD (Characteristics measured just before anthesis)

-   -   -   Shape.—Cluster: Elliptical when no color is showing, having            13-16 buds per cluster. Individual bud: Elliptical or oval            when no color is showing.        -   Size.—Cluster: 4.1-5.1 cm across. Individual bud: 0.7-0.9 cm            long, 0.5-0.7 cm wide.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Blooming habit: Continuous; free and early blooming.-   Umbel size: 9.5-11.0 cm across.-   Borne: Umbel; flowers on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle; 7.0-9.0 cm    above foliage.-   Number of flowers per umbel: 19-25.-   Flowers:    -   -   Form.—Slightly cupped; petals overlap and petaloids give a            ruffled appearance.        -   Size.—4.0-5.1 cm across; 1.7-2.0 cm deep.        -   Petals.—Shape: Inverted teardrop. Size: 2.7-2.9 cm across;            2.4-2.7 cm long. Margin: Entire. Number per flower: 5-7.            Texture: Smooth; velvety; highly reflective. Tonality from a            distance: Bright candy watermelon pink flower head with a            striking stark white center above a mound of medium green            foliage. Color: Upper petals have a stark white eye, lower            petals lack the eye. Upper surface: Lower petals: 68A at            outer edge moving to 68B at middle of petal and fading to            68C, then to 62D, and then to white, about 155A, at the            petal base. Upper petals: 68A at outer edge moving to 73C at            middle of petal and then to white, about 155A, from middle            to the base. Pink veining of 68B is present. Lower surface:            Lower petals: 68C at very outer edge fading quickly to 68D            and then to 69A. Darker veining of 68C and 68D shows            through. At times the veining is darker to 68A. Upper            petals: 68C at very outer edge fading quickly to 68D and            then to 69A, and then fading to white, about 155A. Veining            of 64C and 68B is present.-   Petaloids:    -   -   Number.—0-4.        -   Shape.—Irregular; some are twisted; tubular; petal-shaped            with cut margin; anther-like holding pollen.        -   Color.—Same as petals.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—2.8-3.4 cm.        -   Color.—145A at flower base, moving towards 144B near the            base of the flower, with accent pigmentation of 184C.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—10.8-16.2 cm.        -   Color.—144A, with slight accent pigmentation of 184C at some            spots.-   Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility to diseases or pests has    been noted to date.-   Lasting quality: Overall blooming habit is continuous throughout the    flowering season. Individual umbels last 7-14 days depending on    weather conditions.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Anthers.—2.5-3.0 mm long.        -   Filaments.—Length: 6-9 mm. Color: White with watermelon pink            tips.        -   Pollen color.—Golden orange.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—One.        -   Length.—1.0-1.3 cm.        -   Stigma.—Number: One. Color: 63A.        -   Style.—Length: 4.0-5.0 mm. Color: 63A.-   Ovaries:    -   -   Completeness.—Superior. Length: 5.0-6.0 mm. Width:            2.5-3.0 mm. Color: Green. Pubescence: Present.-   Fruit: None observed.

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant named ‘Maestro Pink’ asdescribed and illustrated.